Chapter 215: Chapter 123: Beware of Your Words_1 Chapter 215: Chapter 123: Beware of Your Words_1 “However, Li Zhijie was indeed handsome and charming. If Bai Qingyan fell for him, the outcome was uncertain… truly hard to say.”

The Crown Prince concealed his concerns, smiling and lifting his wine cup as if captivated by the dancers’ graceful moves.

The maid kneeling by Bai Qingyan’s side obediently lowered her brows, lifting the wine jug to pour for Bai Qingyan. “General, let me pour you some wine…”

Bai Qingyan’s eyes remained on the dancers as Shen Qingzhu’s voice reached her ears. She said nonchalantly, “Bring me tea instead. I don’t drink alcohol.”

“Yes!” The maid withdrew quickly and returned with a cup of hot tea, placing it before Bai Qingyan’s wooden table, then bowed and stood quietly aside.

She lifted the teacup, slightly blowing on the steam. Shen Qingzhu wrote a number “nine” on the tea cup lid and circled it.

Xiao Jiu was imprisoned…

She felt her heart tremble, shocked by the news so much that half her body went numb!

The Emperor of Xiliang was assassinated, leading to the Empress of Xiliang’s hasty ascension. Could it have been Xiao Jiu’s doing?!

Infiltrating the Xiliang Imperial Palace for an assassination was indeed Xiao Jiu’s style. How was Xiao Jiu now? Was he being tortured?

It didn’t matter! In prison or tortured, it didn’t matter! As long as he was alive!

Alive, she could find a way to rescue Xiao Jiu!

Bai Qingyan took a light sip of tea, forcing herself to remain calm.

The situation now… depended on whether Li Zhijie would use Xiao Jiu as a bargaining chip for peaceful negotiations.

If Li Zhijie openly proposed using Xiao Jiu as a bargaining chip, then the peace envoy of Jin and the Crown Prince would have no choice but to exchange for Xiao Jiu. After all, the Imperial Family always liked to maintain appearances and wouldn’t want the citizens to see the Jin Kingdom’s Imperial Family unwilling to exchange for… a warrior captured by an enemy nation!

Moreover, the entire Duke of Zhen’s family had died fighting for the people. If Xiao Jiu was captured, he would be the last visible descendant of the Bai family.

But if Li Zhijie knew about the suspicions between the Jin Kingdom’s ruler and ministers and wanted to privately negotiate Xiao Jiu’s fate with the Crown Prince, then Xiao Jiu’s hope of survival would be slim.

In that case, she would have no choice but to tear up relations with Xiliang and forcibly rescue Xiao Jiu.

Bai Qingyan held her teacup, gazing at the dancers’ light steps, squinting. She had to find a way to test how Xiliang planned to use Xiao Jiu…

“Princess of Pingyang is here…”

Outside the tent, a eunuch’s sharp voice announced. The dancers stopped in unison and retreated orderly to the sides of the big tent.

Li Zhijie hurriedly set down his wine cup. He instinctively glanced towards Bai Qingyan, seeing her sitting upright, holding her teacup without drinking, her every move exuding dignity and grace. Her cold, imposing aura seemed untouched by the smoky air of the mortal world, clear as ice.

Bai Qingyan’s appearance was indeed beautiful, extreme in its clarity and elegance. Though Li Tianfu’s features were not as exquisite as Bai Qingyan’s, when it came to allure… Bai Qingyan could not match Li Tianfu.

Li Tianfu was naturally captivating, able to make men’s hearts itch without even trying.

Although Li Zhijie enjoyed beauty, he only appreciated various beauties and was not a lecherous or sordid person. He pampered this cousin but without any filthy thoughts.

Li Zhijie stood up, smiling toward the tent entrance. A palace maid lifted the drapes, holding up a bronze incense burner with carved auspicious beasts. Amidst the curling smoke, Li Tianfu entered, half her face veiled in golden gauze. Her thick eyelashes fanned like brushes, her watery eyes full of charm.

Almost by a natural instinct, Li Tianfu glanced at Bai Qingyan seated below the Jin Kingdom’s Crown Prince under the crane-glass lamp.

The warm amber light outlined Bai Qingyan’s exquisitely captivating profile. Her long hair was tied high without any makeup or ornaments, yet she stood out more brilliantly than all the luxurious decor in the room.

Her stunning beauty, full of classic elegance, was offset by those deep, clear eyes, as if the vast starry sky was reflected in them, untouched by a speck of dust, carrying a cold and stern aura. Her entire demeanor was one of unparalleled pride and elegance.

To appear here in full armor, she had to be the infamous God of Slaughter… Bai Qingyan.

Li Tianfu had always been proud of her beauty, assuming Bai Qingyan would be a burly, rough-looking woman. Who would have thought this God of Slaughter would be such a rare beauty!

Feeling displeased, Li Tianfu slowly removed her fiery red cloak, dressed in clothes reminiscent of the Jin Kingdom style–a pale blue gown embroidered with golden flowers, with a slanting lapel, a red silk belt with a long tassel tied at the waist, and a light gauze cloak matching her veil. Her raven-black hair was styled in a flying cloud bun, adorned with pearl-studded cloud-patterned jade ornaments. Her slender wrists bore red gold and pearl jade bracelets, and a jade pendant tied with silver bells chimed lightly with each step.

“Princess!” Li Zhijie smiled, greeting Li Tianfu before introducing her to the Crown Prince. “This is our Emperor’s sister, Princess of Pingyang.”

“Your Highness, Crown Prince!” Li Tianfu bowed slightly to the Crown Prince, her voice sweet like a chirping bird, making one’s bones tingle.

The Crown Prince squinted slightly, smiling and nodding towards Li Tianfu standing in the center of the tent. “Princess, please have a seat…”

Sitting below the Crown Prince, Bai Qingyan looked at Li Tianfu. The scent wafting from the Princess pervaded the area, Bai Qingyan faintly catching a hint of her subtle fragrance.

Li Tianfu sat down, removing her veil to reveal her strikingly attractive features. She arrogantly glanced at Bai Qingyan with a haughty air of superiority. “So, you are the infamous God of Slaughter… Bai Qingyan?”

Being singled out, Bai Qingyan looked at Li Tianfu, nodding slightly in greeting. “Princess, I dare not claim such a title…”

Before Bai Qingyan could finish, Li Tianfu sneered, her tone wrought with mockery. “So young and already unafraid of divine retribution, daring to call yourself a god?! How shameless!”

Bai Qingyan raised her eyes. The Princess of Xiliang, Li Tianfu, by instigating a confrontation, unwittingly gave her an opportunity to probe Xiliang’s intentions regarding Xiao Jiu. Thus, she did not get angry.

Zhang Duanrui’s expression darkened. He cupped his hands and said, “Princess of Xiliang, you must be cautious with your words!”

Li Tianfu, always spoiled and arrogant, knew nothing of cautioning her words. Seeing Bai Qingyan reminded her that she had to come for a matrimonial alliance due to Bai Qingyan’s great victory, thus she hated Bai Qingyan to the core.

The Crown Prince lowered his eyes, hiding a smile. The plan he and Elder Fang devised was working as intended.

Li Tianfu’s lips curled into an alluring smile. “You burned and killed tens of thousands of Xiliang prisoners. Was it all just to bolster your name as the God of Slaughter? The Bai family was renowned for its loyalty and righteousness. If your grandfather knew you burned and killed prisoners for your own reputation, tarnishing the Bai family’s honor overnight, would he rest easy in his grave?!”

Bai Qingyan’s expression darkened.

“Princess!” Li Zhijie’s face changed, loudly calling out to Li Tianfu, then hurriedly bowing to Bai Qingyan with deep apologies. “General Bai, please forgive her. The Princess was spoiled by the late Emperor. She speaks without restraint. I hope General Bai can be magnanimous and not hold it against the Princess.”